Horizon Europe Programme

European funding for research and innovation

Introducing Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe is the European Union's framework program for research and innovation, representing the most ambitious investment ever undertaken by the EU in this sector. As the successor to Horizon 2020, this initiative aims to consolidate the Union's scientific and technological foundations, boost its innovation capacity, competitiveness, and job creation, while responding to citizens' aspirations and supporting European policy priorities.

In the European financing architecture, Horizon Europe holds a central and strategic position. With a total budget of €95.5 billion for the period 2021-2027 (including €5.4 billion from NextGenerationEU), it represents the largest research and innovation funding program globally. Unlike other, more targeted instruments, Horizon Europe encompasses the entire innovation spectrum, from basic research to commercialization.

Horizon Europe's strategic ambitions are fully aligned with the European vision of a more sustainable, digital, and resilient society. The program pursues the following objectives:

Consolidate the scientific and technological foundations of the EU
Boost European innovation capacity and competitiveness
To materialize the EU's strategic political priorities
Participating in addressing global challenges, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals
To promote the creation and dissemination of excellent knowledge

Horizon Europe is structured around three main pillars and a cross-cutting dimension:

Scientific excellence : to encourage excellent fundamental research
Global issues and European industrial competitiveness : to address major societal challenges and consolidate technological and industrial capabilities
More innovative Europe : to boost disruptive innovation that generates markets
Broadening participation and strengthening the European Research Area : to optimize the EU's R&I potential

Innovation serving European and global challenges

Specific ambitions and priorities

Horizon Europe aligns research and innovation with societal challenges and EU policy priorities, while fostering European competitiveness. This chapter details the program's multiple dimensions to help you ideally position your project.

Main thematic areas

Horizon Europe is organized around six major thematic clusters within the second pillar:

Cluster 1: Health

Integrated health and well-being throughout the lifespan
Environmental and social factors impacting health
Rare diseases and non-contagious illnesses
Global infections and health threats
Digital solutions, tools and technologies for health
Sustainable and adaptive healthcare infrastructure

Cluster 2: Culture, creativity and inclusive society

Democratic Governance and Citizenship
Cultural heritage and creative and cultural sectors
Contemporary socioeconomic changes

Cluster 3: Civil security for society

Community resilience in the face of disasters
Safety and citizen protection
Information security and the fight against crime

Cluster 4: Digital, industry and space

Innovations in manufacturing processes
Essential digital technologies
Advanced materials and related technologies
AI systems and robotics solutions
Circular and low-carbon industrial sectors
Space domain including Earth observation

Cluster 5: Climate, energy and mobility

Climate research and adaptive solutions
Sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources
Energy infrastructure, networks and conservation
Energy performance of buildings and industry
Sustainable territories and metropolises
Smart and eco-friendly transportation solutions

Cluster 6: Nutrition, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and ecosystems

Environmental monitoring
Agricultural, forestry and rural sectors
Sustainable food chains
Cyclical bioeconomy and bio-industries
Biodiversity conservation and resource management

Priority sectoral guidelines

Horizon Europe's 'Climate, Energy and Transport Issues' cluster supports preliminary research and innovation, while mechanisms such as LIFE and the Innovation Fund respectively support environmental demonstration initiatives and the industrial implementation of decarbonized technologies.

Beyond thematic clusters, Horizon Europe has established targeted missions to amplify the impact of research and innovation:

Climate resilience : to support at least 150 European territories towards climate resilience before 2030
Fight against cancer : to improve the lives of more than 3 million people by 2030 through prevention, care and cure
Aquatic environments : to restore the health of our oceans and aquatic ecosystems before 2030
Smart and climate-neutral cities : supporting 100 European cities in their climate transformation by 2030
Soil quality and food systems : ensure that 75% of soils are healthy by 2030

Horizon Europe also favours ten European institutional partnerships in strategic sectors such as planetary health, sustainable hydrogen, green aeronautics, innovative medicines, and supercomputing.

Contributions to European strategic orientations

Horizon Europe is part of the major European political priorities:

The European Green Deal
A Europe prepared for the digital age
An economy centered on citizens
A strengthened Europe on the world stage
Defending the European way of life
A European democratic renewal

The scheme gives particular priority to ecological and digital transformations, with a minimum of 35% of the budget dedicated to climate issues.

Expected benefits at the European level

Horizon Europe initiatives aim to generate substantial benefits across several dimensions:

Scientific benefit : generation and dissemination of high-quality knowledge and innovations
Technological/economic benefit : consolidation of industrial competitiveness, generation of jobs and growth
Societal benefit : a response to EU political priorities and global challenges
Structural benefit : consolidation of the European Research Area and the innovation capacities of participating countries

The system uses an impact-focused approach, with a clearly established "intervention logic" linking activities to expected short, medium and long-term results.

Categories of funded initiatives

Horizon Europe offers a range of financing instruments adapted to different project profiles and levels of innovation:

Research and Innovation Initiatives (RIA):

Initiatives aimed at generating new knowledge or examining the viability of a technology, product, process, or service
100% funding of eligible costs
Typical period: 3-4 years
Minimum partnership: 3 autonomous entities from 3 distinct member or associate countries

Innovation Initiatives (AI):

Initiatives directly targeting the development of schemes, organizations, or designs for new, modified, or improved products, processes, or services
They can incorporate prototyping, testing, demonstration, and large-scale product validation.
Funding at 70% for eligible costs (100% for non-profit entities)
Typical period: 2-3 years
Minimum partnership: identical to RIAs

Coordination and support initiatives (CSA):

Support measures such as standardization, dissemination, awareness-raising, networking, and support services
100% funding of eligible costs
Typical period: 1-3 years
Minimum partnership: 1 entity from a member or associate country

Innovation and Commercial Deployment Initiatives (IMDA):

New to Horizon Europe, these initiatives focus on market-facing activities.
Integrate the deployment of innovative solutions and their first commercial application

European Innovation Council (EIC):

Pathfinder Advanced research for breakthrough technologies (similar to RIA)
Transition : maturation and validation of promising technologies
Accelerator Hybrid financing (grants and equity investments) for the development and deployment of high-risk innovations

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Initiatives (MSCA):

Mobility and training of researchers at all levels of their career
Various mechanisms: doctoral networks, individual scholarships, staff exchanges, etc.

European Research Council (ERC):

Individual excellence funding for researchers at different career levels
Starting Grants, Consolidator Grants, Advanced Grants, Synergy Grants

For SMEs and startups developing groundbreaking technologies and seeking more specialized funding, the EIC Accelerator is a specific component of Horizon Europe particularly suited to their requirements.

Concrete examples of initiatives already funded

Here are several representative examples of initiatives that have received funding under Horizon Europe and its predecessor:

Development of an innovative mRNA vaccine against infectious diseases (RIA, Health Cluster)
Design of a collaborative platform for sustainable urban mobility integrating autonomous vehicles and sharing systems (AI, Climate, Energy and Transport Issues Cluster)
Establishment of a European network of excellence on advanced materials for energy storage (CSA, Cluster of digital technologies, manufacturing and space)
Development and commercialization of an early cancer detection technology based on artificial intelligence (EIC Accelerator)
Interdisciplinary training program for 15 doctoral researchers on quantum technologies (MSCA Doctoral Network)
Fundamental research on new catalysts for the production of green hydrogen (ERC Advanced Grant)

Innovative technologies encouraged

Horizon Europe particularly favors initiatives that:

They develop technologies at low TRL (Technology Readiness Level) until they are commercialized.
They incorporate multidisciplinary and intersectoral approaches
They encourage openness and international collaboration
They contribute to the EU's digital and environmental priorities
They demonstrate strong potential for revolutionary innovation

Preferred areas of intervention

Although Horizon Europe covers all scientific and technological fields, certain sectors receive increased attention:

Advanced medical technologies and digital health
Artificial intelligence, robotics and quantum technologies
Clean technologies and low-carbon solutions
Nature-based solutions and biodiversity preservation
Cybersecurity and Trusted Technologies
Circular economy and bioeconomy
Space technologies and satellite applications
Industry 4.0 and advanced manufacturing
Smart and connected mobility
Inclusive and creative digital company

Innochain Expertise and Support

Specialized skill

Our in-depth knowledge of the Horizon Europe program and its predecessors stems from many years of successful support for public and private organizations, SMEs and large corporations, as well as academic institutions. Our team includes evaluators from the European Commission, thematic specialists in the program's main clusters, and experts in the various funding instruments.

Our consultants have a thorough understanding of Horizon Europe's specific features, its evaluation criteria, and the requirements of each action category. This expertise allows us to guide you precisely through the program's complexities, from identifying relevant consultations to the administrative management of the funded project.

Strategic diagnosis A comprehensive study of your innovation and R&D strategy to identify the most suitable funding opportunities
Monitoring and identifying consultations Continuous monitoring of work programs and tailored alerts for consultations adapted to your profile
Optimal positioning Analysis of targeted consultations, competitive benchmarking, and strategic positioning of your proposal
Partnership Formation : Identification and mobilization of complementary European partners to create a partnership of excellence
Project Architecture Definition of the technical structure, work packages, budget, and impact model
Drafting the proposal Preparation of a comprehensive, scientifically rigorous dossier, perfectly aligned with the evaluation criteria.
Preparation for the grant preparation phase Anticipating administrative and contractual requirements for accelerated implementation

Eligibility assessment and harmonization analysis with Horizon Europe consultations
Strategic monitoring and identification of financing opportunities
Research and mobilization of key European partners
Organizing partnership meetings and facilitating exchanges
Technical and scientific architecture of the project
Definition of methodology and work plan
Development of the impact strategy and exploitation of results
Financial planning and budget optimization
Complete or partial drafting of the application file
Critical review and qualitative improvement of proposals
Preparation for interactions with the Commission during the evaluation phase
Administrative assistance for contractualization
Support for project management and reporting

success rate for our Horizon Europe applications (vs. European average)

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countries covered by our network of qualified potential partners

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time saved on the preparation and administrative management of the project

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continuous support from the assembly to the implementation of the project

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Eligibility requirements

Organization eligibility criteria

To be eligible for the Horizon Europe program, candidates must meet the following requirements:

Legal status Any legal entity established in an eligible country can participate
Autonomy The entities must be autonomous from each other (except in specific cases).
Operational capacity Participants must possess the necessary resources to successfully complete their assigned tasks.
Financial capacity : Checked only for coordinators and mainly for projects with high financial risk

For the majority of collaborative actions (RIA, IA), a partnership must include at least three autonomous legal entities established in three separate member or associated countries, at least one of which is located in an EU member state.

Eligible company profiles

Horizon Europe is accessible to a wide range of organizations:

SMEs and start-ups They benefit from easier access and special measures in all pillars of the program
Large companies Key partners for innovation projects and the deployment of solutions
Research organizations and universities Key players, particularly in basic and applied research projects
Public bodies : National, regional and local authorities, public agencies
Non-profit organizations and NGOs : Often bringing a user or societal perspective
International organizations : Under certain conditions defined in the work programs

The program includes specific measures to broaden participation, particularly for countries with low R&I performance, as well as specific mechanisms for innovative SMEs through the EIC.

Geographical requirements

Horizon Europe is open to participants from:

EU Member States (27 countries)
Associated countries having signed an association agreement with Horizon Europe (Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Moldova, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine and soon the United Kingdom)
Third countries according to specific requirements defined in the work programs

Entities located in non-associated third countries can participate but are generally not eligible for EU funding, except in specific cases (particularly for low or middle-income countries).

Technical or scientific prerequisites

Horizon Europe initiatives must meet several technical requirements:

Scientific and/or technical excellence : Demonstrate a level of innovation beyond the state of the art
Adapted technological maturity : TRL (Technology Readiness Level) appropriate to the type of action targeted
Viability : Robust methodology and adequate resources to achieve objectives
Multidisciplinary : Integrated approach combining several disciplines when relevant
European dimension : Added value of cooperation at European level
Impact Contribution to the expected impacts defined in the work program

The proposals must also demonstrate their alignment with ethical principles, gender considerations, open science and European political priorities.

Financing structure

Funding percentages according to organizational profile

The funding percentages in Horizon Europe depend primarily on the type of action:

Research and Innovation Initiatives (RIA):

100% eligible costs for all organizational profiles

Innovation Initiatives (AI):

70% eligible costs for for-profit entities
100% eligible costs for non-profit entities

Coordination and support initiatives (CSA):

100% eligible costs for all organizational profiles

Co-fund program:

Between 30% and 70% depending on the specific consultations

EIC Accelerator:

Up to 70% of eligible costs for the subsidy portion
Hybrid financing option with equity investment

MSCA and ERC:

Funding based on flat rates determined by the program

Grant ceilings

Funding amounts vary considerably depending on the instruments:

RIA and AI:

Typical EU contribution: between 2 and 8 million euros
Substantial variation depending on the clusters and specific consultations

CSA:

Typical EU contribution: between 0.5 and 2 million euros

EIC Pathfinder:

Up to 3-4 million euros in grants

EIC Accelerator:

Up to 2.5 million euros in grants
Up to 10 million euros of capital investment
Up to €30M for the STEP SCALE-UP

ERC:

Starting Grant: up to 1.5 million euros for 5 years
Consolidator Grant: up to 2 million euros for 5 years
Advanced Grant: up to 2.5 million euros for 5 years
Synergy Grant: up to 10 million euros for 6 years

MSCA:

Doctoral Networks: approximately 360,000 euros per researcher
Postdoctoral Fellowships: between 80,000 and 180,000 euros per researcher

Eligible cost categories

The categories of costs that are usually eligible include:

Staff costs Salaries and expenses of the teams assigned to the project
Subcontracting Outsourced services essential to the completion of the project
Acquisitions : Equipment, consumables, travel and other goods and services
Other charges : Protection of intellectual property, certifications, etc.
Indirect costs : Flat rate of 25% for eligible direct costs (excluding subcontracting)

The Commission has simplified the financial rules in Horizon Europe compared to previous programmes, including a wider acceptance of beneficiaries' usual accounting practices.

Mandatory co-financing

The Horizon Europe program operates on the principle of co-financing for certain types of actions:

For AI, companies must co-finance 30% of the budget
For co-financed partnerships, national bodies must provide substantial co-financing.
For the EIC Accelerator, private co-financing is essential to complement the EU's hybrid funding.

Co-financing can come from internal resources, national/regional funding, or private investors. Innochain can assist you in identifying and securing co-financing sources tailored to your specific situation.

Application process

Planning and consultations

Horizon Europe operates according to different submission modalities:

Standard consultations:

Published in the bi-annual work programs
Fixed deadlines (approximately 3-4 months after publication)

Ongoing consultations:

In particular for the EIC Accelerator and certain MSCA actions
Recurring deadlines or "cut-off dates" several times a year

Consultations in two phases:

First phase: short proposal (10-15 pages)
Second phase: comprehensive proposal (45-70 pages)
Typical time between the two phases: 3-4 months

Cascading consultations (or "third party grants"):

Funding redistributed by existing Horizon Europe projects
Simplified procedures adapted in particular to SMEs and start-ups

Mandatory documentation

The Horizon Europe application requires the preparation of several essential documents:

Part A (administrative forms):

General information about the project
Administrative data on participants
Project budget
Ethical and security issues
Gender equality information

Part B (technical description):

Excellence: objectives, concept, methodology, ambition
Impact: contributions to expected impacts, measures to maximize impact
Implementation: work plan, resources, management structure

Annexes (as per consultations):

CVs of principal investigators
Letters of commitment
Ethics or security reports
SME-specific documents for the EIC

Innochain supports you in the preparation of each of these documents, paying particular attention to overall consistency and harmonization with evaluation criteria.

Submission phases

The Horizon Europe submission process includes the following phases:

Consultation search : Identification of relevant opportunities on the Funding & Tenders portal
Creating an account on the European portal
Preparation of the proposal : Development of parts A and B
Invitation of partners to join the proposal
Finalization of the budget and distribution between partners
Compliance verification with all administrative requirements
Electronic submission before the deadline (early bird recommended)
Confirmation of receipt automatic by the system

For two-phase consultations, only candidates selected in the first phase are invited to submit a comprehensive proposal.

Areas for evaluating proposals

Horizon Europe initiatives are evaluated along three main axes:

Excellence (0-5 points):

Clarity and relevance of objectives
Solidity of the concept and credibility of the methodology
Quality of the multidisciplinary approach, where applicable
Level of ambition and surpassing the state of the art

Impact (0-5 points):

Contribution to the expected impacts listed in the work program
Quality of measures to maximize impact (dissemination, communication, exploitation)
Credibility of the impact pathway
Business case for near-market innovations

Quality and efficiency of implementation (0-5 points):

Quality and efficiency of the work plan
Adequacy of management structures and procedures
Complementarity of participants and partnership
Relevance of resource allocation

Each axis is scored out of 5 points, with a threshold of 3/5 per axis and an overall threshold generally of 10/15.

Innochain optimizes your application to maximize your score on each of these axes, with particular attention to the impact section, which is often decisive in Horizon Europe.

Success statistics and determining factors

Success data for this program

The Horizon Europe program exhibits the following success rate characteristics:

Overall average success rate : Approximately 12-15% on a European scale
Variation by pillar :
- Pillar 1 (Scientific Excellence): 8-14% for the ERC, 15-25% for the MSCA
- Pillar 2 (Global Issues): 10-18% depending on the clusters
- Pillar 3 (Innovative Europe): 3-5% for the EIC Accelerator, 15-20% for the EIC Pathfinder
Variation by type of consultation : Two-phase consultations show a higher success rate than the second phase (20-30%)
Competitiveness : Constantly increasing, with more than 20,000 proposals per year
New participants Success rate generally lower for first-time applicants (8-10%)

Common pitfalls to avoid

Our experience has allowed us to identify the main errors that penalize Horizon Europe applications:

Poorly targeted proposal Inadequacy with the specific objectives of the consultation
Lack of scientific ambition : Insufficient innovation compared to the state of the art
Insufficiently developed impact : Lack of a clear and quantified impact pathway
Underestimated exploitation and dissemination : Vague strategy for using the results
Unbalanced partnership : Redundant partners or missing skills
Imprecise methodology : Lack of details on scientific and technical approaches
Poorly justified budget : Insufficiently explained resource allocation
Undersized management : Neglected governance and risk management procedures

Innochain takes care to correct these weaknesses before submission to maximize your chances of success.

Differentiating factors for a winning application

The factors that make a difference in obtaining Horizon Europe funding are:

Unquestionable scientific excellence with a clear positioning in relation to the state of the art
Structured impact pathway logically linking results to short, medium and long term impacts
A partnership of excellence bringing together scientific, industrial, and end-user leaders
Relevant multidisciplinarity combining different approaches and disciplines
International dimension: strategic collaboration with non-EU partners when appropriate
Effective management of intellectual property and data with a FAIR plan (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable)
An ambitious communication and dissemination plan precisely targeting stakeholders
A cross-cutting approach to ethical, gender, and societal aspects

Feedback from Innochain

Our experience supporting numerous Horizon Europe initiatives has allowed us to identify best practices:

The quality of writing and clarity of presentation are crucial in a highly competitive environment.
Evaluators particularly value teams with prior experience of collaboration
Early involvement of end users and stakeholders significantly enhances credibility
The balance between ambition and realism is crucial – objectives must be both ambitious and achievable.
Effective visualization (graphs, tables, diagrams) significantly improves readability
Demonstrating cost-effectiveness is becoming increasingly important
The first few months of a project are crucial – a detailed launch plan is a major asset

FAQ on the Horizon Europe programme

Frequently Asked Questions by Businesses

Can an SME apply individually to Horizon Europe?

SMEs can apply individually to certain specialized programs such as the EIC Accelerator or some MSCA initiatives. For conventional collaborative actions (RIA, IA), a partnership of at least three autonomous entities from three distinct territories is required. Innochain can guide you toward the program best suited to your context and support you in establishing a partnership, which is essential.

How does Horizon Europe compare with national funding schemes?

Horizon Europe typically offers more substantial funding than national programs, with a European dimension providing enhanced visibility and collaboration opportunities. However, it is also more selective and requires proposals of exceptional quality. A successful approach often involves starting with national programs to develop your expertise before applying to Horizon Europe.

Is it essential to have a partner from each European territory?

Not at all; the minimum requirement for most collaborative actions is three autonomous entities from three different member or partner territories. The quality and relevance of the partners are far more crucial than their geographical distribution. A successful partnership brings together the expertise essential to the project with an appropriate geographical distribution, avoiding redundant partners.

How does Horizon Europe fit in with other European digital schemes?

While Horizon Europe supports research and innovation in the digital sector, the Digital Europe initiative continues by focusing on the implementation and integration of sophisticated digital technologies.

What are the chances of success for a first-time application?

Initial applications without professional support have a success rate below 8%. With Innochain's support, this rate improves substantially, even for first-time applications, thanks to our in-depth expertise in evaluation criteria and our experience with funded initiatives.

How exactly does the evaluation process work?

The Horizon Europe evaluation follows an organized approach:

Administrative eligibility check
Assignment to at least three independent expert evaluators specializing in the sector
Individual evaluation by each expert according to the three axes (excellence, impact, implementation)
Consensus session among the evaluators to determine a consolidated score and report
Panel review to compare proposals and determine a ranking
Final decision of the European Commission
Transmission of results with a comprehensive evaluation report (ESR – Evaluation Summary Report)

The entire process usually takes 5 to 8 months depending on the category of action.

Is it possible to reuse a rejected proposal?

Absolutely, and this is frequently the case. Approximately 30% of funded initiatives are improved resubmissions. Innochain thoroughly reviews the Evaluation Report (ESR), identifies specific weaknesses, and restructures the proposal to maximize the chances of success in a new application. Our success rate exceeds 40% for the resubmissions we mentor.

Maximize your chances of success with our expertise

Ready to launch your Horizon Europe project?

Innochain supports you at every stage, from identifying opportunities to the final application, to optimize your prospects of obtaining Horizon Europe funding and to cultivate your visibility on a European scale.

Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or to discuss your research and innovation initiative. Together, let's transform your concepts into European initiatives of excellence. # Horizon Europe Programme

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